Top Ten Albums of 2007

1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
   By far the best album of the year, see my review of a few months back for details.
2. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
   Following the breakout success of 2005’s Funeral was always going to be tough for these Montreal indie-darlings. They knocked it out of the park.
3. The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
   While not as strong as their previous effort, the songs on this album surprised me when I heard them played live. Going back and listening again, I think it was the shadow of “Chutes Too Narrow” that first effected my opinion. Now, this album stands on it’s own.
4. White Stripes - Icky Thump
   Their best album in years. Even when they’re experimenting, it works.
5. Feist - The Reminder
   Another record I was turned onto by Josh. Leslie Feist, sometimes of Broken Social Scene, got a huge boost when her songs “My Moon, My Man” and “1,2,3,4″ were featured on iPod commercials, but it was the first time I heard “I’m Sorry” in Josh’s car on the way to pick up his HDTV converter that hooked me in, and it has yet to let go.
6. Wilco -Sky Blue Sky
   This one seems to be a love it/hate it record for a lot of people. I come down on the “love it” side of the argument.
7. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga
   Not as strong as “Gimme Fiction”, but the songs do kick ass - especially live.
8. Lily Allen - Alright, Still
   When I first heard “LDN” on Sirius’ Left Of Center in the fall of 2006, it was like a ray of sunshine had come bursting forth from my car stereo. Not content to wait until the official US release date in January 07, I found some tracks online thanks to some of my English friends, and was savoring tracks such as “Friday Night”, “Knock ‘Em Out”, and of course “Smile” weeks before the album came out here. I bought the CD the day it came out, and it’s been in constant rotation on my iPod ever since.
9. Avett Brothers - Emotionalism
   I first heard about the Avett Brothers from my cousin Jeff during our annual trip to Sea Isle back in July. He had mentioned that they were going to be playing up the street from my house, and that he was coming down - Did I want him to get me a ticket? I had to confess that I’d never heard of them, but that was quickly remedied. Jeff sent me a bunch of discs, including their latest and best effort, Emotionalism. The unique blend of folk and country with punk influences is challenging and rewarding.
10. Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
    Britain’s current favorites avoided the “sophomore jinx” with a great record. Check out the stand out track “Fluorescent Adolescent”.

Left out of top ten only because it’s purely an album of covers:

1. Various Artists - I’m Not There Soundtrack
   While I was most excited to hear Stephen Malkmus and The Hold Steady, it was Roger McGuinn’s version of “One More Cup of Coffee” that absolutely blew me away. A very special album.

Honorary mentions:
Apples In Stereo - New Magnetic Wonder
Art Brut - It’s A Bit Complicated
Flight Of The Conchords - The Distant Future
Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
The Good, The Bad & The Queen - The Good, The Bad & The Queen
LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
New Pornographers - Challengers
Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full
Amy Winehouse - Back To Black